basketball

Nneka Ogwumike moves into fifth on WNBA's all-time scoring list

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Nneka Ogwumike continues to etch her name into the WNBA history books as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks.

Nneka Ogwumike continues to etch her name into the WNBA history books as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks . Ogwumike returned to the Sparks this season after spending the past two seasons with the Seattle Storm. She spent the first 12 years of her career with Los Angeles, winning the Rookie of the Year in 2012 and MVP honors during the 2016 season.

Ogwumike scored 12 points in the Sparks' 97-88 victory over the Phoenix Mercury to move into fifth place on the league’s all-time scoring list with 7,383. She entered Thursday’s game against the Mercury with 7,371 and needed 10 points to pass Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings' 7,380 career points. Ogwumike made a 15-foot jumper, following an assist from Jihyun Park, with 4:11 left in the second quarter to reach 10 total points in the first half.

She will now chase Hall of Famer Tina Thompson, who finished her WNBA career in 2013 with 7,488 points. After Thompson, Ogwumike will still have to chase three other players, including DeWanna Bonner, who is the only other active player on the list. Bonner, who plays for the Mercury, also played in Thursday's game between Los Angeles and Phoenix.

She is third on the list and entered the game with 7,862 points. Bonner finished the game with nine points. WNBA’s career points leaders Diana Taurasi - 10,646 Tina Charles - 8,396 DeWanna Bonner - 7,871 Tina Thompson - 7,488 Nneka Ogwumike - 7,383 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike now fifth on WNBA's all-time scoring list